Long fight to prevent Route 304 expansion ends in loss

July 24, 2014 6:25 pm

Route 304 - which cuts through two World Heritage national parks in Nakhon Ratchasima and Prachin Buri - will be expanded under the supervision of the junta, the Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP) said Thursday.

Expanding the road from two to four lanes will be done through overpasses at two locations inside the Khao Yai and Thaplan natonal parks, between kilometre markers 26 and 29 and 45 and 57 respectively, so wildlife will no longer be affected or killed by traffic, said ONEP secretary-general Kasemsan Jinnawaso.

Department of Highways director-general Chatchawal Buncharoenkij said the approval was good news as the ruling National Council for Peace and Order realised the project's importance for the welfare of wildlife.

The DoH has sought a Bt2.9 billion budget for the project and was ready to begin construction immediately, he said.